Former Prince Andrew Sublet Cottages and Lived Rent-Free on Royal Estate

The former Prince Andrew generated income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, where he resided rent-free for twenty years. This information was highlighted in a recent report about royal family properties released by the U.K. public spending watchdog. Additionally, the report revealed that his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, reside in rent-controlled palace properties funded by their uncle, King Charles III.

The National Audit Office disclosed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor profited from renting out cottages on the estate near Windsor Castle. He occupied a 30-room mansion along with eight cottages, of which three were authorized for subletting. While the report noted the arrangements, it omitted the exact income Andrew derived from these rentals. Margaret Hodge, a Labour member of the House of Lords, expressed concerns over this omission, stating, “It’s shocking that the National Audit Office was not able to establish how much money Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor secured from the properties he let.”

The review followed Andrew’s eviction from the Royal Lodge by King Charles III after controversies related to his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Previously stripped of his royal titles, Andrew relocated earlier this year to the king’s Sandringham Estate in eastern England. In February, police questioned the former prince about allegations of misconduct in public office. However, he denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.

The audit report also revealed that 11 working royals receive free housing within palaces in exchange for performing official duties. This includes the king and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, and Prince Edward with his wife Sophie. Prince William and Kate pay a substantial annual rent for their family home near Windsor.

Princess Eugenie’s and Beatrice’s rents at Kensington Palace and St. James’s Palace are adjusted at percentages of open-market values, ranging from 50% to 68%, and are covered by the Privy Purse, the monarch’s private funds. Since they are not considered working royals, both sisters have external occupations.

A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace mentioned the audit office report aligns with the royal household’s transparency commitment. “We hope that the findings will help correct, clarify or contextualize a number of points regarding royal properties,” they added.

Critics argue the report suggests the royal family falls short in financially supporting themselves. Norman Baker, a former Liberal Democrat lawmaker, commented, “It shows an absolute total contempt for the taxpayer, not only that Andrew was able to have a peppercorn rent for a gigantic property, but then to make potentially millions on the side from subletting properties.”

Andrew’s association with Epstein surfaced in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice showcasing the financier’s exploitation scheme involving influential figures. British police are examining claims Andrew shared confidential trade information with Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. Investigators may expand the probe to include sexual misconduct allegations.

Since relocating to the Sandringham Estate, Andrew has remained largely out of public view. Photographed recently with a noticeable facial bruise, The Times of London cited it as a “nonserious medical condition.”